• @tal
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    1123 days ago

    If I don’t need to have a screen on the thing, why be constrained to use the laptop form factor at all? That is, in significant part, a product of needing to stick the monitor where it is.

    • @infeeeee@lemm.ee
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      823 days ago

      The best way to type is still with a keyboard. It’s useful to have touchpad for backward compatibility. You need battery, a box to put hardware in and a keyboard, basically that’s a half laptop

      • @tal
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        23 days ago

        The best way to type is still with a keyboard.

        Sure. I don’t need to have the bulk of the electronics in a flat package beneath my keyboard, though. At that point, I can use higher-profile form factors.

        • @infeeeee@lemm.ee
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          523 days ago

          Sooner or later we will get back to C64 form factor, that would be a good compromise with a thinkpad trackpoint.

      • Iron Sight OSOPM
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        223 days ago

        Sure, but does the touchpad have to be below the keys? It makes sense for a laptop since it matches the dimensions of the screen when folded closed. No screen means it can be rethought.

        • @infeeeee@lemm.ee
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          23 days ago

          Where would you put it? If you type with both hands that’s the most convenient. I’ve only seen side touchpads on small 6-7" laptops where there is no space there, and you can’t type with both hands due to their size. GPD has some models like that, e.g. GPD MicroPC:

          https://i2.wp.com/liliputing.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/micro_06.jpg?fit=900%2C721&ssl=1

          • @Wilzax@lemmy.world
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            223 days ago

            We’re already using cables to interconnect the peripherals to the main computer. That’s the whole gimmick of the glasses. Why not have a keyboard on top of the computer, laptop style, with a wired USB module with the IO ports and a trackpad on top? You could recess the port on both ends so the base is flush with the body of either module, so it looks like a permanent part of the PC but is still removable for replacement and transportation.

          • Iron Sight OSOPM
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            123 days ago

            I’ve seen people’s wrists accidentally touch the touchpad while typing and completely screw up what they were doing. It’s happened to me personally as well.

            I don’t know if there’s a better placement, but it’s worth considering. I have seen Bluetooth keyboard/touchpad combos that have the touchpad to the right of the keys, but no personal experience with them.

    • @CosmicTurtle0@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      223 days ago

      It might be the transition technology like blackberry was to the iPhone.

      Hopefully they will learn to keep up with consumer demands and not try to force people into their form factor.

    • Iron Sight OSOPM
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      123 days ago

      Fair point 👍 maybe it’ll help adoption if it’s not radically different than what people are comfortable with? Not sure.